Solvent treatment of fabric articles

ABSTRACT

Solvent treatment methods for treating fabric articles, more particularly it relates to glycerine derivative solvent treatment methods are provided by the present invention.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/483,347, filed on Jun. 27, 2003; and U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/520,517, filed on Nov. 17, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to solvent treatment methods for treatingfabric articles, more particularly it relates to glycerine derivativesolvent treatment methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, the laundering of fabric articles is performed byconventional aqueous immersive laundry cleaning or dry cleaning.

Conventional laundry cleaning is carried out with relatively largeamounts of water. Cleaning additives such as surfactants, enzymes,bleaches, and fabric softeners are added and mixed with the water toprovide cleaning, whitening, softening and like benefits. Theaqueous-based laundering process is typically performed in a washingmachine or by hand at the consumer's home, or in a dedicated place suchas a coin laundry. Although washing machines and laundry detergents havebecome quite sophisticated, the conventional aqueous-based laundryprocess still exposes the fabric articles to risks of shrinkage,wrinkles, and other undesirable results.

Most dry cleaning processes rely on non-aqueous solvents for cleaning.By avoiding water these processes minimize the risk of shrinkage andwrinkling for certain fabrics, including cotton, polyester, silk, rayon,wool and various blends of these materials. The need for handling andrecovering large amounts of solvents make these dry cleaning processesunsuitable for use in the consumer's home. The need for dedicated drycleaning operations makes this form of cleaning inconvenient andexpensive for the consumer.

Moreover, the conventional solvents for the dry cleaning process, suchas perchloroethylene (“PERC”), are causing environmental and healthconcerns.

Accordingly, there is a need provide an alternative solvent forlaundering fabric articles that is safe, environmentally-friendly, andwith the undesirable effects of shrinkage, wrinkles, and the like.Moreover, there is a need for an alternative solvent that provide all ofthe above benefits and is suitable for use in home laundering as well incommercial laundering services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved solvent treatment methodfor treating a fabric article which comprises the step of contacting thefabric article with a glycerine derivative solvent, optionally anadjunct solvent, an adjunct ingredient, a polar phase and mixturesthereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

“Fabric article” as used herein is intended to mean any article that iscustomarily cleaned in a conventional laundry process or in a drycleaning process. As such the term encompasses articles of clothing,linen, drapery, and clothing accessories. The term also encompassesother items made in whole or in part of fabric, such as tote bags,furniture covers, tarpaulins and the like.

The term “dry cleaning” or “non-aqueous cleaning” as used herein means anon-aqueous fluid is used as the dry cleaning solvent to clean a fabricarticle. However, water can be added to the “dry cleaning” method as anadjunct cleaning agent and/or a polar phase. The amount of water cancomprise up to about 25% by weight of the dry cleaning solvent or thecleaning composition in a “dry cleaning” process. The non-aqueous fluidis referred to as the “dry cleaning solvent”.

The term “fabric article treating composition” refer to the wash fluidthat that comes into direct contact with fabric articles to be cleaned.It should be understood that the term “fabric article treatingcomposition” encompasses uses other than cleaning, such as refreshing,conditioning and sizing. In a typical embodiment, the fabric articletreating composition comprises the glycerine ether solvent(s) andoptionally, adjunct solvents, adjunct ingredients, polar solvents, andmixtures thereof, all of which are described in more detail hereinbelow.

“Average molecular weight” as used herein means the weight-averagemolecular weight of a polymer, as determined by gel permeationchromatography.

Glycerine Derivative Solvents

Nonlimiting examples of suitable glycerine derivative solvents for usein the methods and/or apparatuses of the present invention includeglyercine derivatives having the following structure:

wherein R¹, R² and R³ are each independently selected from: H; branchedor linear, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, C₂-C₃₀ alkenyl,C₁-C₃₀ alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₃₀ alkyleneoxyalkyl, C₁-C₃₀ acyloxy, C₇-C₃₀alkylenearyl; C₄-C₃₀ cycloalkyl; C₆-C₃₀ aryl; and mixtures thereof; andwherein two or more of R¹, R² and R³ together can form a C₃-C₈ aromaticor non-aromatic, heterocyclic or non-heterocyclic ring.

Nonlimiting examples of suitable glycerine derivative solvents include2,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-1-propanol; 2,3-dimethoxy-1-propanol;3-methoxy-2-cyclopentoxy-1-propanol;3-methoxy-1-cyclopentoxy-2-propanol; carbonic acid(2-hydroxy-1-methoxymethyl)ethyl ester methyl ester; glycerol carbonateand mixtures thereof.

Synthesis of Glycerine Derivative Solvents

A nonlimiting examples of suitable synthesis routes for making glycerinederivative solvents of the present invention follow:

The glycerine derivative solvent may be present in a fabric articletreating composition along with adjunct solvents and adjunctingredients.

Adjunct Solvents

Adjunct solvents may be used in combination with the glycerinederivative solvents of the present invention. The adjunct solventsinclude, but are not limited to, lipophilic fluids.

“Lipophilic fluid” as used herein means any liquid or mixture of liquidthat is immiscible with water at up to 20% by weight of water. Ingeneral, a suitable lipophilic fluid can be fully liquid at ambienttemperature and pressure, can be an easily melted solid, e.g., one thatbecomes liquid at temperatures in the range from about 0° C. to about60° C., or can comprise a mixture of liquid and vapor phases at ambienttemperatures and pressures, e.g., at 25° C. and 1 atm. pressure. Thetest to determine whether a fluid is a lipophilic fluid is disclosed inPCT publication WO 01/94678.

It is preferred that the lipophilic fluid herein be non-flammable or,have relatively high flash points and/or low VOC characteristics, theseterms having conventional meanings as used in the dry cleaning industry,to equal or, preferably, exceed the characteristics of knownconventional dry cleaning fluids.

Non-limiting examples of suitable lipophilic fluid materials includesiloxanes, other silicones, hydrocarbons, glycol ethers, fluorinatedsolvents, low-volatility nonfluorinated organic solvents, diol solvents,other environmentally-friendly solvents and mixtures thereof.

“Siloxane” as used herein means silicone fluids that are non-polar andinsoluble in water or lower alcohols. Linear siloxanes (see for exampleU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,443,747, and 5,977,040) and cyclic siloxanes are usefulherein, including the cyclic siloxanes selected from the groupconsisting of octamethyl-cyclotetrasiloxane (tetramer),dodecamethyl-cyclohexasiloxane (hexamer), and preferablydecamethyl-cyclopentasiloxane (pentamer, commonly referred to as “D5”).A preferred siloxane comprises more than about 50% cyclic siloxanepentamer, more preferably more than about 75% cyclic siloxane pentamer,most preferably at least about 90% of the cyclic siloxane pentamer. Alsopreferred for use herein are siloxanes that are a mixture of cyclicsiloxanes having at least about 90% (preferably at least about 95%)pentamer and less than about 10% (preferably less than about 5%)tetramer and/or hexamer.

Nonlimiting examples of fluorinated solvents suitable for use herein asthe lipophilic solvents include perfluorinated amines, perfluorinatedethers, perfluorinated alcohols and hydrofluoroethers. In someembodiments, perfluorinated amines are used. In other embodiments,specific perfluorinated amines, such as perfluorotributylamines, areused.

Other suitable lipophilic fluids include, but are not limited to, diolsolvent systems e.g., higher diols, such as C₆ or C₈ or higher diols;organosilicone solvents including both cyclic and acyclic types; and thelike, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of low volatility non-fluorinated organic solventsOLEAN® and other polyol esters, or certain relatively nonvolatilebiodegradable mid-chain branched petroleum fractions.

Non-limiting examples of glycol ethers include propylene glycol methylether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol t-butyl ether,propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether,dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether,dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether,tripropylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol t-butyl ether,tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether.

Non-limiting examples of other silicone solvents, in addition to thesiloxanes, are well known in the literature, see, for example, KirkOthmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, and are available from anumber of commercial sources, including GE Silicones, Toshiba Silicone,Bayer, and Dow Corning. For example, one suitable silicone solvent isSF-1528 available from GE Silicones.

Additional examples of other environmentally-friendly solvents includelipophilic fluids that have an ozone formation potential of from about 0to about 0.31, lipophilic fluids that have a vapor pressure of fromabout 0 to about 0.1 mm Hg, and/or lipophilic fluids that have a vaporpressure of greater than 0.1 mm Hg, but have an ozone formationpotential of from about 0 to about 0.31. Non-limiting examples of suchlipophilic fluids that have not previously been described above includecarbonate solvents (i.e., methyl carbonates, ethyl carbonates, ethylenecarbonates, propylene carbonates, glycerine carbonates), succinatesolvents (i.e., dimethyl succinates), and mixtures thereof.

A methodology to determine ozone reactivity is discussed in W. P. L.Carter, “Development of Ozone Reactivity Scales of Volatile OrganicCompounds”, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 44,Page 881-899, 1994. “Ozone Reactivity” as used herein is a measure ofthe ability of a volatile organic compound (VOC) to form ozone in theatmosphere. It is measured as grams of ozone formed per gram of volatileorganics. “Vapor Pressure” as used can be measured by techniques definedin Method 310 of the California Air Resources Board.

In one embodiment, the lipophilic fluid comprises more than 50% byweight of the lipophilic fluid of cyclopentasiloxanes, (“D5”) and/orlinear analogs having approximately similar volatility, and optionally,the D5-containing lipophilic fluid is complemented by other siliconesolvents.

Adjunct Ingredients

Optionally, adjunct ingredients may be added to the glycerine derivativesolvents.

Suitable cleaning adjuncts include, but are not limited to, builders,surfactants, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleachboosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, colorants,perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap dispersants,composition malodor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dyetransfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches,heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbialagents, anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition agents, soil release polymers,electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalentions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors,diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizingpolymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening agents, opticalbrighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foamboosters, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, dye fixatives, dyeabrasion inhibitors, anti-crocking agents, wrinkle reduction agents,wrinkle resistance agents, soil release polymers, soil repellencyagents, sunscreen agents, anti-fade agents, anti-static agents, andmixtures thereof. In any event, any adjunct ingredient must be suitablefor use in combination with the solvent.

Suitable adjunct ingredients may include detersive enzymes, such asproteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases and the like, as well as bleachcatalysts including the macrocyclic types having manganese or similartransition metals all useful in laundry and cleaning products can beused herein at very low, or less commonly, higher levels. For example,the detersive enzymes and/or bleach catalyst may be present in thecomposition of the present invention at a level typically less thanabout 5%, more typically less than about 1%, and even more typicallyless than about 0.1%, by weight of the composition.

Adjunct materials that are catalytic, for example enzymes, can be usedin “forward” or “reverse” modes. For example, a lipolase or otherhydrolase may be used, optionally in the presence of alcohols asadjuncts, to convert fatty acids to esters, thereby increasing theirsolubility in the solvent. This is a “reverse” operation. In contrast,the normal use of this hydrolase in water is to convert a lesswater-soluble fatty ester to a more water-soluble material.

The adjunct ingredient suitable for use herein may also compriseemulsifiers. Emulsifiers are well known in the chemical art.Essentially, an emulsifier acts to bring two or more insoluble orsemi-soluble phases together to create a stable or semi-stable emulsion.It is preferred in the claimed invention that the emulsifier serves adual purpose wherein it is capable of acting not only as an emulsifierbut also as a treatment performance booster. For example, the emulsifiermay also act as a surfactant to boost the cleaning performance.

The term “surfactant” conventionally refers to materials that aresurface-active either in the water, the lipophilic fluid, or the mixtureof the two. Some illustrative surfactants include nonionic, cationic,anionic and silicone surfactants as disclosed below.

Nonlimiting examples of surfactants suitable for use in the presentinvention has the general formula:Y_(u)-(L_(t)-X_(v))_(x)—Y′_(w)  (I)L_(y)-(X_(v)—Y_(u))_(x)-L′_(z)  (II)and mixtures thereof;wherein L and L′ are solvent compatibilizing (or lipophilic) moieties,which are independently selected from:

-   -   (a) C1-C22 alkyl or C4-C12 alkoxy, linear or branched, cyclic or        acyclic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted;    -   (b) siloxanes having the formula:        M_(a)D_(b)D′_(c)D″_(d)        wherein a is 0-2; b is 0-1000; c is 0-50; d is 0-50, provided        that a+c+d is at least 1;

M is R¹ _(3-e)X_(e)SiO_(1/2) wherein R¹ is independently H or an alkylgroup, X is hydroxyl group, and e is 0 or 1;

D is R⁴ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁴ is independently H or an alkyl group;

D′ is R⁵ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁵ is independently H, an alkyl group or(CH₂)_(f)(C₆Q₄)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H₆O)_(i)(C_(k)H_(2k))_(j)—R³,provided that at least one R⁵ is(CH₂)_(f)(C₆Q₄)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H₆O)_(i)(C_(k)H_(2k))_(j)—R³,wherein R³ is independently H, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, f is1-10, g is 0 or 1, h is 1-50, i is 0-50, j is 0-50, k is 4-8; C₆Q₄ isunsubstituted or substituted; Q is independently selected from H, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; and

D″ is R⁶ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁶ is independently H, an alkyl group or(CH₂)_(l)(C₆Q₄)_(m)(A)_(n)-[(T)_(o)-(A′)_(p)-]_(q)-(T′)_(r)Z(G)_(s),wherein 1 is 1-10; m is 0 or 1; n is 0-5; o is 0-3; p is 0 or 1; q is0-10; r is 0-3; s is 0-3; C₆Q₄ is unsubstituted or substituted; Q isindependently selected from H, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₁₋₁₀ alkenyl, and mixturesthereof; A and A′ are each independently a linking moiety representingan ester, a keto, an ether, a thio, an amido, an amino, a C₁₋₄fluoroalkyl, a C₁₋₄ fluoroalkenyl, a branched or straight chainedpolyalkylene oxide, a phosphate, a sulfonyl, a sulfate, an ammonium, andmixtures thereof; T and T′ are each independently a C₁₋₃₀ straightchained or branched alkyl or alkenyl or an aryl which is unsubstitutedor substituted; Z is a hydrogen, carboxylic acid, a hydroxy, aphosphato, a phosphate ester, a sulfonyl, a sulfonate, a sulfate, abranched or straight-chained polyalkylene oxide, a nitryl, a glyceryl,an aryl unsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl, acarbohydrate unsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl or alkenylor an ammonium; G is an anion or cation such as H⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺,Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, mesylate or tosylate; and D″ can be cappedwith C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxy groups;

Y and Y′ are hydrophilic moieties, which are independently selected fromhydroxy; polyhydroxy; C1-C3 alkoxy; mono- or di- alkanolamine; C1-C4alkyl substituted alkanolamine; substituted heterocyclic containing O,S, N; sulfates; carboxylate; carbonate; and when Y and/or Y′ is ethoxy(EO) or propoxy (PO), it must be capped with R, which is selected fromthe group consisting of:

-   -   (i) a 4 to 8 membered, substituted or unsubstituted,        heterocyclic ring containing from 1 to 3 hetero atoms; and    -   (ii) linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted        or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, aliphatic or aromatic        hydrocarbon radicals having from about 1 to about 30 carbon        atoms;

X is a bridging linkage selected from O; S; N; P; C1 to C22 alkyl,linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted orunsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, aliphatic or aromatic, interrupted byO, S, N, P; glycidyl, ester, amido, amino, PO₄ ²⁻, HPO₄ ⁻, PO₃ ²⁻, HPO₃⁻, which are protonated or unprotonated;

u and w are integers independently selected from 0 to 20, provided thatu+w≧1;

t is an integer from 1 to 10;

v is an integer from 0 to 10;

x is an integer from 1 to 20; and

y and z are integers independently selected from 1 to 10.

Nonlimiting examples of surfactants having the above formula include:

-   -   (1) alkanolamines;    -   (2) phophate/phosphonate esters;    -   (3) gemini surfactants including, but are not limited to, gemini        diols, gemini amide alkoxylates, gemini amino alkoxylates;    -   (4) capped nonionic surfactants;    -   (5) capped silicone surfactants such as nonionic silicone        ethoxylates, silicone amine derivatives;    -   (6) alkyl alkoxylates;    -   (7) polyol surfactants; and        mixtures thereof.

Examples of these surfactants are disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationsSer. Nos. 60/483,343 and 60/482,958, filed on Jun. 27, 2003.

Suitable nonionic surfactants may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing:

-   -   a) Polyethylene oxide condensates of nonyl phenol and myristyl        alcohol, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,930, issued to Kasprzak;        and    -   b) fatty alcohol ethoxylates, R—(OCH₂CH₂)_(a)OH a=1 to 100,        typically 12-40, R=hydrocarbon residue 8 to 20 C atoms,        typically linear alkyl. Examples polyoxyethylene lauryl ether,        with 4 or 23 oxyethylene groups; polyoxyethylene cetyl ether        with 2, 10 or 20 oxyethylene groups; polyoxyethylene stearyl        ether, with 2, 10, 20, 21 or 100 oxyethylene groups;        polyoxyethylene (2), (10) oleyl ether, with 2 or 10 oxyethylene        groups.

Commercially available examples include, but are not limited to:ALFONIC, BRU, GENAPOL, NEODOL, SURFONIC, TRYCOL; additional examples aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,683, issued to Hill et al.

Suitable cationic surfactants include, but are not limited todialkyldimethylammonium salts having the formula:R′R″N⁺(CH₃)₂X⁻

where each R′R″ is independently selected from the group consisting of12-30 C atoms or derived from tallow, coconut oil or soy, X=Cl or Br,Examples include: didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB),dihexadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dihexadecyldimethyl ammoniumbromide, dioctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dieicosyldimethylammonium chloride, didocosyldimethyl ammonium chloride,dicoconutdimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowdimethyl ammonium bromide(DTAB). Commercially available examples include, but are not limited to:ADOGEN, ARQUAD, TOMAH, VARIQUAT. Additional examples are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,013,683, issued to Hill et al.

One class of surfactants suitable for use herein is siloxane-basedsurfactants. The siloxane-based surfactants typically have aweight-average molecular weight from 500 to 20,000. Such materials,derived from poly(dimethylsiloxane), are well known in the art. In thepresent invention, not all such siloxane-based surfactants are suitable,because they do not provide improved cleaning of soils compared to thelevel of cleaning provided by the glycerine derivative solvent itself.

Suitable siloxane-based surfactants comprise a polyether siloxane havingthe formula:M_(a)D_(b)D′_(c)D″_(d)M′_(2-a)wherein a is 0-2; b is 0-1000; c is 0-50; d is 0-50, provided that a+c+dis at least 1;

M is R¹ _(3-e)SiO_(1/2) wherein R¹ is independently H or an alkyl group,X is hydroxyl group, and e is 0 or 1;

M′ is R² ₃SiO_(1/2) wherein R² is independently H, an alkyl group, or(CH₂)_(f)—(C6H4)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H₆O)_(i)—(C_(k)H_(2k)O)_(j)—R³,provided that at least one R² is(CH₂)_(f)—(C6H4)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H₆O)_(i)—(C_(k)H_(2k)O)_(j)—R³,wherein R³ is independently H, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, f is1-10, g is 0 or 1, h is 1-50, i is 0-50, j is 0-50, k is 4-8;

D is R⁴ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁴ is independently H or an alkyl group;

D′ is R⁵ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁵ is independently H, an alkyl group, or(CH₂)_(f)—-(C₆Q₄)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H₆O)_(i)—(C_(k)H_(2k)O)_(j)—R³,provided that at least one R⁵ is(CH₂)_(f)—(C₆Q₄)_(g)O—(C₂H₄O)_(h)—(C₃H₆O)_(i)—(C_(k)H_(2k)O)_(j)—R³,wherein R³ is independently H, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, f is1-10, g is 0 or 1, h is 1-50, i is 0-50, j is 0-50, k is 4-8; and

D″ is R⁶ ₂SiO_(2/2) wherein R⁶ is independently H, an alkyl group or(CH₂)_(l)(C₆H₄)_(m)(A)_(n)-[(T)_(o)-(A′)_(p)-]_(q)-(T′)_(r)Z(G)_(s),wherein 1 is 1-10; m is 0 or 1; n is 0-5; o is 0-3; p is 0 or 1; q is0-10; r is 0-3; s is 0-3;C₆Q₄ is unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₁₀alkyl or C₁₋₁₀ alkenyl; Q is independently H, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₁₋₁₀alkenyl, or mixtures thereof; A and A′ are each independently a linkingmoiety representing an ester, a keto, an ether, a thio, an amido, anamino, a C₁₋₄ fluoroalkyl, a C₁₋₄ fluoroalkenyl, a branched or straightchained polyalkylene oxide, a phosphate, a sulfonyl, a sulfate, anammonium, and mixtures thereof; T and T′ are each independently a C₁₋₃₀straight chained or branched alkyl or alkenyl or an aryl which isunsubstituted or substituted; Z is a hydrogen, carboxylic acid, ahydroxy, a phosphato, a phosphate ester, a sulfonyl, a sulfonate, asulfate, a branched or straight-chained polyalkylene oxide, a nitryl, aglyceryl, an aryl unsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₃₀ alkyl oralkenyl, a carbohydrate unsubstituted or substituted with a C₁₋₁₀ alkylor alkenyl or an ammonium; G is an anion or cation such as H⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺,K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Ca⁺², Mg³⁰ ², Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, mesylate or tosylate; D″ can becapped with C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxy groups.

Examples of the types of siloxane-based surfactants described hereinabove may be found in EP 1,043,443A1, EP 1,041,189A1 and WO 01/34,706(all to GE Silicones) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,705, U.S. Pat. No.5,683,977, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,473, and EP1,092,803A1 (all to LeverBrothers).

Nonlimiting commercially available examples of suitable siloxane-basedsurfactants are TSF 4446 (by General Electric Silicones), XS69-B5476 (byGeneral Electric Silicones); Jenamine HSX (by DelCon) and Y12147 (by OSiSpecialties).

Another class of materials suitable for use herein as the surfactantcomponent is organic-based surfactants. In some embodiments, thesurfactants are organosulfosuccinate surfactants, with carbon chains offrom about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, thesurfactants are organosulfosuccinates containing dialkly chains, eachwith carbon chains of from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms. In yetanother embodiment, the organosulfosuccinate surfactants contain chainsof aryl or alkyl aryl, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or linear,saturated or unsaturated groups.

Nonlimiting examples of suitable organosulfosuccinate surfactants areavailable under the tradenames of Aerosol® OT and Aerosol® TR-70 (byCytec).

Nonlimiting examples of ethoxylated materials, such as ethoxylatedsurfactants include compounds having the general formula:R⁸-Z-(CH₂CH₂O)_(s)Bwherein R⁸ is an alkyl group or an alkyl aryl group, selected from thegroup consisting of primary, secondary and branched chain alkylhydrocarbyl groups, primary, secondary and branched chain alkenylhydrocarbyl groups, and/or primary, secondary and branched chain alkyl-and alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups having from about 6to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from about 8 to about 18, morepreferably from about 10 to about 15 carbon atoms; s is an integer fromabout 2 to about 45, preferably from about 2 to about 20, morepreferably from about 2 to about 12; B is a hydrogen, a carboxylategroup, or a sulfate group; and linking group Z is —O—, —C(O)O—,—C(O)N(R)—, or —C(O)N(R)—, and mixtures thereof, in which R, whenpresent, is R⁸ or hydrogen.

The nonionic surfactants herein are characterized by an HLB(hydrophilic-hydrophobic solvent balance) of from 5 to 20, preferablyfrom 6 to 15.

In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactants are alkyl ethoxylatesurfactants with each R⁸ being C₈-C₁₆ straight chain and/or branch chainalkyl and the number of ethyleneoxy groups s being from about 2 to about6, preferably from about 2 to about 4, more preferably with R⁸ beingC₈-C₁₅ alkyl and s being from about 2.25 to about 3.5. These nonionicsurfactants are characterized by an HLB of from 6 to about 11,preferably from about 6.5 to about 9.5, and more preferably from about 7to about 9. Nonlimiting examples of commercially available alkylethoxylate surfactants are Neodol® 91-2.5 (C₉-C₁₀, s=2.7, HLB=8.5),Neodol® 23-3 (C₁₂-C₁₃, s=2.9, HLB=7.9) and Neodol® 25-3 (C₁₂-C₁₅, s=2.8,HLB=7.5). Neodol® are available from Shell Chemicals.

Further nonlimiting examples include nonionic surfactants selected fromthe group consisting of fatty acid (C₁₂₋₁₈) esters of ethoxylated(EO₅₋₁₀₀) sorbitans. In some embodiments, the surfactant is selectedfrom the group consisting of mixtures of laurate esters of sorbitol andsorbitol anhydrides; mixtures of stearate esters of sorbitol andsorbitol anhydrides; and mixtures of oleate esters of sorbitol andsorbitol anhydrides. In one specific embodiment, the surfactant isselected from the group consisting of Polysorbate® 20, which is amixture of laurate esters of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides consistingpredominantly of the monoester, condensed with about 20 moles ofethylene oxide. In another embodiment, the Polysorbate® 60 which is amixture of stearate esters of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydride,consisting predominantly of the monoester, condensed with about 20 molesof ethylene oxide. In yet another embodiment, the Polysorbate® 80 whichis a mixture of oleate esters of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides,consisting predominantly of the monoester, condensed with about 20 molesof ethylene oxide; and mixtures thereof.

Other examples of ethoxylated surfactant include carboxylated alcoholethoxylate, also known as ether carboxylate, with R⁸ having from about12 to about 16 carbon atoms and s being from about 5 to about 13;ethoxylated quaternary ammonium surfactants, such as PEG-5 cocomoniummethosulfate, PEG-15 cocomonium chloride, PEG-15 oleammonium chlorideand bis(polyethoxyethanol)tallow ammonium chloride.

Other suitable nonionic ethoxylated surfactants are ethoxylated alkylamines derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with hydrophobicalkyl amines, with R⁸ having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and sbeing from about 3 to about 30.

Also suitable nonionic ethoxylated surfactants for use herein arealkylpolysaccharides which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647,Llenado, issued Jan. 21, 1986, having a hydrophobic group containingfrom about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about16 carbon atoms and a polysaccharide, e.g., a polyglycoside, hydrophilicgroup containing from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 saccharideunits. Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can beused, e.g., glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can besubstituted for the glucosyl moieties. The intersaccharide bonds can be,e.g., between the one position of the additional saccharide units andthe 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6- positions on the preceding saccharide units.The preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula:R²O(C_(n)H_(2n)O)_(t)(glycosyl)_(x)wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl,hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which thealkyl groups contain from 10 to 18, preferably from 12 to 14, carbonatoms; n is 2 or 3, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, mostpreferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferablyderived from glucose.

In one embodiment, the nonionic surfactants comprise polyhydroxy fattyacid amide surfactants of the formula:R²—C(O)—N(R¹)-Zwherein R¹ is H, or R¹ is C₁₋₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl or a mixture thereof, R² is C₅₋₃₁ hydrocarbyl, and Z is apolyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivativethereof. Preferably, R¹ is methyl, R² is a straight C₁₁₋₁₅ alkyl orC₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl chain such as coconut alkyl or mixtures thereof,and Z is derived from a reducing sugar such as glucose, fructose,maltose, lactose, in a reductive amination reaction.

In another embodiment, the anionic surfactants include alkyl alkoxylatedsulfate surfactants hereof are water soluble salts or acids of theformula RO(A)_(m)SO3M wherein R is an unsubstituted C₁₀-C₂₄ alkyl orhydroxyalkyl group having a C₁₀-C₂₄ alkyl component, preferably aC₁₂-C₂₀ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl orhydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero,typically between about 0.5 and about 6, more preferably between about0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation which can be, for example, ametal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium,etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation. Alkyl ethoxylatedsulfates as well as alkyl propoxylated sulfates are contemplated herein.

In yet another embodiment, anionic surfactants includemid-chain-branched anionic surfactants described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,320,080; 6,433,207; 6,326,348; 6,133,222; 6,012,781; 6,166,262; and6,020,303.

In still another embodiment, the suitable nonionic surfactants comprisenitrogen containing materials selected from the group consisting ofprimary, secondary and tertiary amines, diamines, triamines, ethoxylatedamines, amine oxides, amides and alkyl betaines, sulfobetaines, andmixtures thereof. Suitable amine oxide surfactants may include C10-C18alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, C8-C12 alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amineoxides, propyl amine oxides, and mixtures thereof. A nonlimiting exampleof a betaines is Schercotaine materials commercially available fromScher Chemicals. Other suitable nonionic surfactants of this class aregenerally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678, issued to Laughlin etal., on Dec. 30, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,835, issued to Deguchi etal., on Jul. 27, 1993; and PCT Publication WO 98/28393, by Ofosu-Asanteet al., published on Jul. 2, 1998.

These and other surfactants suitable for use in combination with theglycerine derivative solvent as adjuncts are well known in the art,being described in more detail in Kirk Othmer's “Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology”, 3rd Ed., Vol. 22, pp. 360-379, which is titled“Surfactants and Detersive Systems”.

The surfactant component, when present in the fabric article treatingcompositions of the present invention, preferably comprises from about0.01% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.02% to about 5%, evenmore preferably from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of the fabricarticle treating composition.

The surfactant component, when present in the detergent compositions ofthe present invention, preferably comprises from about 1% to about 99%,more preferably 2% to about 75%, even more preferably from about 5% toabout 60% by weight of the detergent composition.

In some embodiments, the adjunct ingredients may be cationic materials,such as fabric softening actives. Suitable cationic materials mayinclude quaternary surfactants, which maybe quaternary ammoniumcompounds. Commercially available agents include Varisoft® materialsfrom Goldschmidt.

Nonlimiting examples of suitable fabric softening actives include, butare not limited to: cationic nitrogenous salts, specifically diesterquaternary ammonium fabric softening active compounds (DEQA) andpolyquaternary ammonium compounds.

The cationic nitrogenous salts contain anion A⁻, which is any softeningactive compatible anion and provides electrical neutrality. Most often,the anion used to provide electrical neutrality in these salts is from astrong acid, especially a halide, such as chloride, methylsulfate,bromide, or iodide. However, other anions can be used, such asethylsulfate, acetate, formate, sulfate, carbonate, and the like.Chloride and methylsulfate are preferred herein as anion A^(−.)

The typical cationic fabric softening compounds include thewater-insoluble quaternary-ammonium fabric softening actives, the mostcommonly used having been di(long alkylchain)dimethylammonium (C1-C4alkyl)sulfate or chloride, preferably the methyl sulfate. Nonlimitingexamples of these fabric softening compounds include the following:

-   1) di(tallowalkyl)dimethylammonium methyl sulfate (DTDMAMS);-   2) di(hydrogenated tallowalkyl)dimethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   3) di(hydrogenated tallowalkyl)dimethylammonium chloride (DTDMAC);-   4) distearyldimethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   5) dioleyldimethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   6) dipalmitylhydroxyethylmethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   7) stearylbenzyldimethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   8) tallowalkyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   9) (hydrogenated tallowalkyl)trimethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   10) (C₁₂₋₁₄ alkyl)hydroxyethyldimethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   11) (C₁₂₋₁₈ alkyl)di(hydroxyethyl)methylammonium methyl sulfate;-   12) di(stearoyloxyethyl)dimethylammonium chloride;-   13) di(tallowoyloxyethyl)dimethylammonium methyl sulfate;-   14) ditallowalkylimidazolinium methyl sulfate;-   15) 1-(2-tallowylamidoethyl)-2-tallowylimidazolinium methyl sulfate;    and-   16) mixtures thereof.

Suitable odor control agents, which may optionally be used as finishingagents, include cyclodextrins, odor neutralizers, odor blockers andmixtures thereof. Suitable odor neutralizers include aldehydes,flavanoids, metallic salts, water-soluble polymers, zeolites, activatedcarbon and mixtures thereof.

Perfumes and perfumery ingredients useful in the compositions of thepresent invention comprise a wide variety of natural and syntheticchemical ingredients, including, but not limited to, aldehydes, ketones,esters, and the like. Also included are various natural extracts andessences which can comprise complex mixtures of ingredients, such asorange oil, lemon oil, rose extract, lavender, musk, patchouli, balsamicessence, sandalwood oil, pine oil, cedar, and the like. Finishedperfumes may comprise extremely complex mixtures of such ingredients.Pro-perfumes are also useful in the present invention. Pro-perfumescomprise precursor materials or mixtures thereof that are capable ofchemically reacting (e.g., by hydrolysis) to release a perfume, and aredescribed in patents and/or published patent applications to Procter andGamble, Firmenich, Givaudan and others. Examples of perfume and perfumerelease/delivery vehicles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,754; U.S.Pat. No. 5,858,959; U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,378; U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,920;U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,375; U.S. patent application 60/423,107; WO03/002699; WO 99/36469; WO 00/68352; WO 98/28398; WO 98/28339; WO01/79303 and EP 925,776.

Bleaches, especially oxygen bleaches, are another type of adjunctingredient suitable for use in the compositions of the presentinvention. This is especially the case for the activated and catalyzedforms with such bleach activators as nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate and/orany of its linear or branched higher or lower homologs, and/ortetraacetylethylenediamine and/or any of its derivatives or derivativesof phthaloylimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) or other imido- or amido-substituted bleach activators including the lactam types, or moregenerally any mixture of hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic bleachactivators (especially acyl derivatives including those of the C₆-C₁₆substituted oxybenzenesulfonates).

Also suitable are organic or inorganic peracids both including PAP andother than PAP. Suitable organic or inorganic peracids for use hereininclude, but are not limited to: percarboxylic acids and salts;percarbonic acids and salts; perimidic acids and salts;peroxymonosulfuric acids and salts; persulphates such as monopersulfate;peroxyacids such as diperoxydodecandioic acid (DPDA); magnesiumperoxyphthalic acid; perlauric acid; perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoicacids; and mixtures thereof.

One class of suitable organic peroxycarboxylic acids has the generalformula:

wherein R is an alkylene or substituted alkylene group containing from 1to about 22 carbon atoms or a phenylene or substituted phenylene group,and Y is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, —C(O)OH or —C(O)OOH.

Particularly preferred peracid compounds are those having the formula:

wherein R is C₁₋₄ alkyl and n is an integer of from 1 to 5. Aparticularly preferred peracid has the formula where R is CH₂ and n is 5i.e., phthaloylamino peroxy caproic acid (PAP) as described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,487,818, 5,310,934, 5,246,620, 5,279,757 and 5,132,431. PAP isavailable from Ausimont under the tradename Euroco®.

Other adjunct ingredients suitable for use in the compositions of thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, builders includingthe insoluble types such as zeolites including zeolites A, P and theso-called maximum aluminum P as well as the soluble types such as thephosphates and polyphosphates, any of the hydrous, water-soluble orwater-insoluble silicates, 2,2′-oxydisuccinates, tartrate succinates,glycolates, NTA and many other ethercarboxylates or citrates; chelantsincluding EDTA, S,S′-EDDS, DTPA and phosphonates; water-solublepolymers, copolymers and terpolymers; soil release polymers; opticalbrighteners; processing aids such as crisping agents and/fillers;anti-redeposition agents; hydrotropes, such as sodium, or calcium cumenesulfonate, potassium napthalenesulfonate, or the like, humectant; otherperfumes or pro-perfumes; dyes; photobleaches; thickeners; simple salts;alkalis such as those based on sodium or potassium including thehydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates and sulfates and the like; andcombinations of one or more of these adjunct ingredients.

Suitable finishing aids include, but are not limited to, finishingpolymers; such as synthetic or natural polyacrylates or starchcarboxymethyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, odor controlagents, odor neutralizers, perfumes, properfumes, anti-static agents,fabric softeners, insect and/or moth repelling agents and mixturesthereof.

The finishing polymers can be natural, or synthetic, and can act byforming a film, and/or by providing adhesive properties to adhere thefinishing polymers to the fabrics. By way of example, the compositionsof the present invention can optionally use film-forming and/or adhesivepolymer to impart shape retention to fabric, particularly clothing. By“adhesive” it is meant that when applied as a solution or a dispersionto a fiber surface and dried, the polymer can attach to the surface. Thepolymer can form a film on the surface, or when residing between twofibers and in contact with the two fibers, it can bond the two fiberstogether.

Nonlimiting examples of finishing polymers that are commerciallyavailable are: polyvinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylatecopolymer, such as Copolymer 958®, molecular weight of about 100,000 andCopolymer 937®, molecular weight of about 1,000,000, available from GAFChemicals Corporation; adipic acid/dimethylaminohydroxypropyldiethylenetriamine copolymer, such as Cartaretin F-4® and F-23,available from Sandoz Chemicals Corporation; methacryloyl ethylbetaine/methacrylates copolymer, such as Diaformer Z-SM®, available fromMitsubishi Chemicals Corporation; polyvinyl alcohol copolymer resin,such as Vinex 2019®, available from Air Products and Chemicals orMoweol®, available from Clariant; adipic acid/epoxypropyldiethylenetriamine copolymer, such as Delsette 101®, available fromHercules Incorporated; polyamine resins, such as Cypro 515®, availablefrom Cytec Industries; polyquaternary amine resins, such as Kymene557H®, available from Hercules Incorporated; andpolyvinylpyrrolidone/acrylic acid, such as Sokalan EG 310®, availablefrom BASF.

Suitable adjuncts may also comprise co-surfactants, such as primaryalkylamines comprising from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms are used.Particularly preferred primary alkylamines are oleylamine (commerciallyavailable from Akzo under the tradename Armeen® OLD), dodecylamine(commercially available from Akzo under the tradename Armeen® 12D),branched C₁₆-C₂₂ alkylamine (commercially available from Rohm & Haasunder the tradename Primene®), and mixtures thereof.

The adjunct ingredient may also be an antistatic agent. Any suitablewell-known antistatic agents used in conventional laundering and drycleaning are suitable for use in the compositions and methods of thepresent invention. Especially suitable as antistatic agents are thesubset of fabric softeners which are known to provide antistaticbenefits. For example those fabric softeners that have a fatty acylgroup which has an iodine value of above 20, such asN,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium methylsulfate.However, it is to be understood that the term antistatic agent is not tobe limited to just this subset of fabric softeners and includes allantistatic agents.

Preferred insect and moth repellent adjunct ingredients useful in thecompositions of the present invention are perfume ingredients, such ascitronellol, citronellal, citral, linalool, cedar extract, geranium oil,sandalwood oil, 2-(diethylphenoxy)ethanol, 1-dodecene, etc. Otherexamples of insect and/or moth repellents useful in the compositions ofthe present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,449,987;4,693,890; 4,696,676; 4,933,371; 5,030,660; 5,196,200; and in “SemioActivity of Flavor and Fragrance Molecules on Various Insect Species”,B. D. Mookherjee et al., published in Bioactive Volatile Compounds fromPlants, ACS Symposium Series 525, R. Teranishi, R. G. Buttery, and H.Sugisawa, 1993, pp. 35-48.

Fabric Article Treating Composition

The composition of the present invention is directed to attainingimproved fabric article cleaning in a solvent treatment regimen, whereinthe composition comprises a glycerine derivative solvent in accordancewith the present invention and optionally, an adjunct solvent and/or anadjunct ingredient.

These adjunct ingredients vary widely and are typically incorporatedinto the composition at an effective amount sufficient to deliver thedesired benefit the particular adjunct is designed for. When present,each adjunct ingredient may, though not required to, comprise from about0.01% to about 20%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, and morepreferably from about 1% to about 5%, by weight of the composition. Insome embodiments, the fabric article treating copmposition may comprisefrom about 1 to about 50%, preferably from about 2 to about 30%, byweight of the composition, of at least one surfactant disclosed above.

In a typical embodiment, the adjunct solvent, if included, comprisesfrom about 0.01% to about 50%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 25%,and more preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of thecomposition.

The adjunct solvent may comprise a lipophilic fluid. In someembodiments, the adjunct solvent can be selected from the groupconsisting of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4),decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6),and mixtures thereof. In a specific embodiment, the lipophilic fluidcomprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5). In another embodiment, thelipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) and issubstantially free (i.e., less than about 5 wt %, preferably less thanabout 3 wt %, more preferably less than about 1 wt %, even morepreferably less than about 0.5 wt %) of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane(D4).

In some embodiments, the composition may further comprise a polar phase.If included, the polar phase may include water, C1-C16 linear orbranched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic alcohols, suchas propanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and the like,and mixtures thereof. Further, the polar phase typically comprises atleast about 0. 1%, preferably at least about 0.1%, more preferably atleast about 1% polar phase by weight of the composition and at mostabout 15%, preferably at most 10%, more preferably at most about 5%polar phase by weight of composition. In a specific embodiment, thepolar phase is water, which comprises bound water and about 1% by weightof the composition free water. The “bound water” is intimatelymixed/bound with the glycerine ether solvent and cannot be removed byexposing this solvent mixture to absorbent gelling materials (AGM) andthe “free water” is the amount of water removed by AGM.

Method

The present invention is directed to improving fabric article cleaningin a solvent treatment regimen by contacting the fabric articles with acomposition comprising a glycerine derivative solvent, and optionally,an adjunct solvent and/or adjunct ingredients, simultaneously and/orsequentially. The method may optionally comprise a rinsing step and/or apre-treating step, in addition to the contacting step.

Optionally, the method may include the step of exposing the fabricarticle to a polar phase, simultaneously or sequentially with respect toexposing it to the glycerine ether solvent. If the polar phase includeswater, water preferably comprises at least about 0.1%, preferably atleast about 0.5% water by weight of the fabric article and at most about10%, preferably at most about 5% water by weight of the fabric article.In an alternative embodiment, water comprises from about 0.01 vol % toabout 5 vol %, preferably from about 0.1 vol % to about 3 vol %, morepreferably from about 0.25 vol % to about 1 vol % of the solvent mixturecontacting the fabric article.

During the contacting step, the weight ratio of composition applied tothe fabric article to the dry weight of the fabric article may rangefrom 0.5:1 to 30:1, preferably from about 0.8:1 to about 5:1, morepreferably from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1. In other words, the method maybe non-immersive as well as immersive. The fabric article may bemechanically agitated, tumbled or otherwise moved in a treatment chamberto achieve uniform application of the composition to the fabric articlesbeing treated.

The composition of the present invention can be prepared by mixing theingredients by any known process chosen by the formulator. The mixingmay even be performed by the user by shaking or other known mixingmethods.

The adjunct solvent may comprise a lipophilic fluid, including but notlimited to a linear siloxane, a cyclic siloxane, or mixtures thereof. Insome embodiments, the adjunct solvent may comprise one or more cyclicsiloxane solvents, such as decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. Due to theflash points of the aforementioned siloxanes, if the siloxanes areincluded as the adjunct solvents, the method is typically carried out atless than about 80° C.

While carrying out the method of the present invention, the fabricarticles may also be exposed to a surfactant and/or other adjunctingredients, either separately or as a result of being contained withinthe glycerine ether solvent, polar phase and/or the adjunct solvent.

Cleaning System and Apparatus

A cleaning system and apparatus suitable for use in the method of thepresent invention are described below. The cleaning system comprises afabric article treating vessel, a dry cleaning solvent reservoir, andoptionally, a sensor for monitoring the contaminant level in the drycleaning solvent. When contaminants concentration exceeds somepre-determined value, it would indicate that the dry cleaning solventhas reached maximum contaminant holding tolerance and needs to bepurified. Additionally, solvent purification/recovery device comprisinga chemical modification unit capable of conducting the purificationmethod of the present invention may also be provided as an integral partof the system/apparatus. However, it needs not be. The solventpurification/recovery unit can be a stand-alone device, separate fromthe dry cleaning system.

Any suitable fabric article treating vessel known to those of ordinaryskill in the art can be used. The fabric article treating vesselreceives and retains a fabric article to be treated during the operationof the cleaning system. In other words, the fabric article treatingvessel retains the fabric article while the fabric article is beingcontacted by the dry cleaning solvent. Nonlimiting examples of suitablefabric article treating vessels include commercial cleaning machines,domestic, in-home, washing machines, and clothes drying machines.

The methods and systems of the present invention may be used in aservice, such as a cleaning service, diaper service, uniform cleaningservice, or commercial business, such as a Laundromat, dry cleaner,linen service which is part of a hotel, restaurant, convention center,airport, cruise ship, port facility, casino, or may be used in the home.

The methods of the present invention may be performed in an apparatusthat is a modified existing apparatus and is retrofitted in such amanner as to conduct the method of the present invention in addition torelated methods.

The methods of the present invention may also be performed in anapparatus that is specifically built for conducting the presentinvention and related methods.

Further, the methods of the present invention may be added to anotherapparatus as part of a dry cleaning solvent processing system. Thiswould include all the associated plumbing, such as connection to achemical and water supply, and sewerage for waste wash fluids.

The methods of the present invention may also be performed in anapparatus capable of “dual mode” functions. A “dual mode” apparatus isone capable of both washing and drying fabrics within the same vessel(i.e., drum). These apparatuses are commercially available, particularlyin Europe. Additionally, the method of the present invention may also beperformed in an apparatus capable of performing “bi-modal” cleaningfunctions. A “bi-modal” apparatus is one capable of performing bothnon-aqueous washing and aqueous washing in the same vessel, wherein thetwo washing modes can be performed in sequential washing cycles or in acombination washing cycle. Additionally, the bi-modal machine is capableof fully drying the clothes without having to transfer them to aseparate machine. That is, a machine can have the bi-modal function aswell as the dual-mode function.

An apparatus suitable for use in the present invention will typicallycontain some type of control systems, including electrical systems, suchas “smart control systems”, as well as more traditionalelectromechanical systems. The control systems would enable the user toselect the size of the fabric load to be cleaned, the type of soiling,the extent of the soiling, the time for the cleaning cycle.Alternatively, the control systems provide for pre-set cleaning and/orrefreshing cycles, or for controlling the length of the cycle, based onany number of ascertainable parameters the user programmed into theapparatus. For example, when the collection rate of dry cleaning solventreaches a steady rate, the apparatus could turn its self off after afixed period of time, or initiate another cycle for the dry cleaningsolvent.

In the case of electrical control systems, one option is to make thecontrol device a so-called “smart device”, which provides smartfunctions, such as self diagnostics; load type and cycle selection;Internet links, which allow the user to start the apparatus remotely,inform the user when the apparatus has cleaned a fabric article, orallow the supplier to remotely diagnose problems if the apparatusmalfunctioned. Furthermore, if the system of the present invention isonly a part of a cleaning system, the so called “smart system” could becommunicating with the other cleaning devices which would be used tocomplete the remainder of the cleaning, such as a washing machine, and adryer.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A method for treating a fabric article in need of treatmentcomprising contacting the fabric article with a glycerine derivativesolvent.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the glycerinederivative solvent has the following structure:

wherein R¹, R² and R³ are each independently selected from: H; branchedor linear, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₃₀ alkyl, C₂-C₃₀ alkenyl,C₁-C₃₀ alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₃₀ alkyleneoxyalkyl, C₁-C₃₀ acyloxy, C₇-C₃₀alkylenearyl; C₄-C₃₀ cycloalkyl; C₆-C₃₀ aryl; and mixtures thereof;wherein two or more of R¹, R² and R³ together can form a C₃-C₈ aromaticor non-aromatic, heterocyclic or non-heterocyclic ring.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the glycerine derivative solvent isselected from the group consisting of: 1,3-di-tertiary-butoxy glycerol;1,2-di-t-butoxy glycerol; 1-t-butoxy glycerol; 2-t-butoxy glycerol;1,3-di-n-butoxy glycerol; 1,2-di-n-butoxy glycerol; 1-n-butoxy glycerol;2-n-butoxy glycerol; 2,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-1-propanol;2,3-dimethoxy-1-propanol; 3-methoxy-2-cyclopentoxy-1-propanol;3-methoxy-1-cyclopentoxy-2-propanol; carbonic acid(2-hydroxy-1-methoxymethyl)ethyl ester methyl ester; glycerol carbonateand mixtures thereof.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein theglycerine derivative is produced by reacting an epichlorohydrin with analcohol.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method furthercomprises the step of contacting the fabric article with an adjunctsolvent.
 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the adjunct solventcomprises a lipophilic fluid.
 7. The method according to claim 6 whereinthe lipophilic fluid comprises a linear siloxane, a cyclic siloxane andmixtures thereof.
 8. The method according to claim 6 wherein saidlipophilic fluid comprises a lipophilic fluid selected from the groupconsisting of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, andmixtures thereof.
 9. The method according to claim 6 wherein saidlipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the method occurs at less than about 80° C.11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprisesthe step of contacting the fabric article with a polar phase.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11 wherein said polar phase comprises water orC1-C16 alcohols.
 13. The method according to claim 11 wherein said polarphase comprises at least about 0.1% water by weight of the fabricarticle.
 14. The method according to claim 11 wherein said polar phasecomprises at most about 10% water by weight of the fabric article. 15.The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprisescontacting said fabric article with an adjunct ingredient.
 16. Themethod according to claim 15 wherein the adjunct ingredient comprises asurfactant.
 17. A fabric article treated by the method of claim 1.